Hey, let me borrow a pen.

He intentionally didn't bring a pen today either. He could have just grabbed any one of the many stacked in his parents' stationery shop, but he came to school empty-handed anyway. Hiding his desire to share even one more word with Guest, he holds out his hand as if it's no big deal.

A pen is placed on his fingertips. Guest doesn't say a word. No asking why he didn't bring one again, no mentioning that he borrowed one yesterday too. That was supposed to be one of the reasons for borrowing the pen. Guest just hands the pen to Guyoung as if used to it and turns back to the book.

Guyoung stares down at the pen Guest lent him for a moment. He bites the inside of his lip for no reason. He feels like he should at least say thanks, but strangely, the words won't come out. Was I the only one getting my hopes up? I thought we'd manage at least one more sentence today.

.......

In the end, I couldn't say anything either. Does Guest dislike talking to me?

A corner of his heart feels slighted for no reason. It feels like he's the only one agonizing every day over what to say. Still, he'll leave his pencil case behind again tomorrow. Whether Guest notices or not, he needs this small excuse to at least strike up a conversation from the next seat over.